Course Detail
Apologia General Science Labs – 2009-10
Who is eligible? All students in grades 7 or 8 who are working on the Apologia General Science curriculum at home.
When is it? Thursdays, 1:45-3:00 PM on the following dates in 2009-2010:
Sep 10. 17. 24
Oct 1. 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov 5, 12, 19
Dec 3, 10, 17
Jan 14, 21, 28
Feb 4, 11, 25
Mar 4, 11, 18, 25
Apr 1, 8, 15, 29
May 6, 13, 20
Who teaches it? Mrs. Tina Holmsten (with Mrs. Suzanne Austin)
Mrs. Holmsten has taught numerous courses to homeschoolers at both the TG and PCC-LEAH co-op, including writing courses, running club, Spanish, etc. She has three children who are active members of the TG.
(Please see Suzanne Austin’s bio under Total Language Plus course description.)
About the course: This course is intended to be a science lab CO-OP (with parental involvement) for students who are working through the Apologia General Science curriculum at home. The goals are: to complete the lab experiments and lab write-ups together for each of the 16 modules (chapters) in the textbook and to help students master the content of each module via group discussion and review activities.
Instructors will provide (for each module):
1. Note-taking worksheet
2. Vocabulary list/study sheet
3. Blank lab write-up sheets
4. Supplemental videos/slideshows
5. Review material
6. Optional writing assignments to go along with each module
This class will operate on a schedule that covers one textbook module every two weeks, as follows:
WEEK ONE (of each module)
At home:
1. Read entire module and take notes
2. Complete the On Your Own questions
3. Study vocabulary words
In class:
1. Review major concepts
2. Take vocabulary quiz
3. Do first group of experiments and lab write-ups together
4. View and discuss supplemental videos/slideshows
(if time allows)
WEEK TWO (of each module)
At home:
1. Review entire module and notes
2. Complete the Study Guide questions
3. Study and take test (test should be given after the 2nd class meeting)
In class:
1. Oral review of Study Guide questions and vocabulary
2. Do second group of experiments and lab write-ups together
3. View and discuss supplemental videos/slideshows
(if time allows)
How much does it cost? $15 for the entire year
What does it include? Instruction, copies/prizes/occasional other supplies needed for class.
(NOTE: Lab experiment materials are NOT provided—-see Required parent involvement below).
What do I need to bring? Required text – Apologia General Science, 1st or 2nd edition (must be purchased or acquired separately).
Required parent involvement – Each family must commit to prepare and perform/lead the experiments in class for at least 2 of the modules in the textbook. (The 16 modules will be divided among the parents of the students that register, so the amount of commitment depends upon how many students sign up). Each module contains an average of 3 experiments. Parents will need to provide all supplies to teach/lead each lab as it is written and described in the textbook. For their own students, parents will be responsible for all marking and grading of study guide questions and tests.
Required homework: Students will be required to work through each module at home, over a two-week period. This will include reading all of the module text, taking notes as they read (note-taking worksheets will be provided), completing all written work for each module (On Your Own questions, Study Guide questions), studying and taking the module test. Parents will be responsible for all marking and grading.
Dress Code Exceptions: None
When do I need to register?:
Other notes:
The course will have a limit of 8 students. Priority to those who pre-register.
The instructors appreciate if you would register early—preferably by Friday, August 7th—so they can begin to delegate modules/labs to the participating parents.
